Disposable and dispensable tooth brush



Jan. 19, 1960 H. F. HOLTON 2,921,590

DISPOSABLE AND DISPENSABLE TOOTH BRUSH Filed June '7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. #0144560 F. #06 70M Jan. 19, 1960 H. F. HOLTON DISPOSABLE AND DISPENSABLE TOOTH BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7. 1956 INVENTOR. Han 6,80 F #047417 Unite This invention relates to tooth cleaning devices and more particularly to a disposable tooth cleaning implement of a highly improved and advantageous nature. The invention further provides a portable and readily disposable tooth brushing package including a dentifrice which can be carried in the purse'or pocket for use in public or private places away from home. The package afforded by the invention is of such a compact nature that it can be readily dispensed by public vending ma chines.

The prior art has provided many tooth cleaning implements of various sorts. These have been generally of a more or less permanent nature due to their cost and the nature of their construction.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved tooth cleaning device which is quickly and easily applicable to the finger of the user and which is so simply and economically fabricated as to make it truly disposable. The body of the device and the disposition of the bristles therein is so effected as to enable maximum brushing efiiciency and easy manupulation thereof by the finger about the surfaces of the teeth. The embodiment of the invention, moreover, provides a de- 'vice which is as readily removable as it is applicable to the finger of the user. The finger attaching means provided is of an adhesive nature and adapts to any size finger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tooth cleaning implement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tooth brushing implement of a flexible nature having the bristles therein disposed in a critically improved manner.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved tooth cleaning implement of a disposable nature having adhesive strip means connected therewith for easy and positive application thereof to the finger of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved disposable tooth cleaning device for application to the finger of the user employing adhesive strip means free of adhesive at the extremities thereof connected thereto as finger attaching means and having the bristles fixed thereto in critically spaced fashion for obtaining maximum brushing efiiciency therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact tooth cleansing package consisting of an improved disposable brush device having adhesive strip means for fixing thereof to the finger of the user, the strip means prior to use fixing a dentifrice to said device in quick release fashion so as to provide a tooth cleansing package thereby which may be dispensed from an automatic vending machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tooth cleaning implement having the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein set forth or their equivalents.

atent 'ice With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein is illustrated preferred, but not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a top view of the tooth brush implement as provided by the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view thereof with the adhesive strip attaching means removed for clarity of detail;

Fig. 3 shows a rear end view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the device of Fig. 1 as applied to the finger of the user;

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the dispensable tooth cleansing package enabled by the invention and employing the modification of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a rear end view of the package of Fig. 6.

Referring in detail to the invention embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3 of the drawings, the body 1 of the tooth cleaning or, brushing implement is elongated and has a rear end 2 of generally rectangular configuration and a forward end 3 of a modified triangular configuration. The body 1 is preferably formed of a flexible paper board product having a waterproof coating thereon. Bristles 4 are fixed in the bottom 5 of the body 1 in two spaced groups 6 and 7. The group 6 is at the rear 2 of the body 1 and is arranged to dispose the'bristles in rectangular uniformly spaced fashion. The group 7 is spaced substantially forward of the group 6 in the forward end 3 of the body 1 and the bristles thereof are arranged in equidistantly spaced triangular fashion with the apex adjacent the forward extremity of the body 1.

intermediate the extremities of the body 1 a slot 8 is provided transversely therethrough adjacent the upper surface 10 thereof. A strip 9 of adhesive tape extends through the slot or aperture 8 with its adhesive surface facing upwardly thereof and its respective ends extending equidistantly from either side of the body. The respective ends 11 and 12 of the tape are free of adhesive for purposes to be described.

T 0 apply the device to the forefinger of the user, the forefinger is placed on the top 10 of the body 1 with the tip of the finger adjacent the forward end 3 thereof. This disposes the first joint of the finger above the spacing between the spaced groups of bristles 6 and 7 on the bottom 5 of the body. The ends of the adhesive strip 9 are then brought up and over the finger and crossed to releasably seal together and fix the body 1 of the implement in the desired position relative the finger in a positive manner, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The ends'll and 12 of the strip 9 are free of adhesive to facilitate removal of the implement from the finger in a manner believed obvious.

The flexibility of the body 1 and the spacing of the groups of bristles 6 and 7 thereon permit the finger to be bent at the joint in applying the bristles to the teeth to enable them to conform to the contour thereof without crushing the bristles together and thereby reducing their cleansing efiiciency in an individual sense. distinct advantage in brushing the teeth, enabling greater manipulation of the implement and a more positive cleansing action. Once the cleaning is accomplished, the cleansing implement is so small and so inexpensive in cost that it may be readily disposed where it is used. And its nature is such that it may be carried away in the pocket without it being obvious.

This is a' Figs. -7 of the drawings show a modification of the invention as provided in Figs. 1-3 of the drawings. They further illustrate how a dispensable and disposable tooth brushing kit may be effected in accordance with the invention. The body 1 of the tooth brushing implement shown therein-is formed of a Waterproofed flexible paper board and with a configuration as in the first embodiment of the invention illustrated and described. However, in this instance the slot 8' transversely through the body 1 is diagonally arranged through the rear portion 2 of the body which portion is of a rectangular configuration. The adhesive strip 9 is extended through the diagonal slot 8' to extend equidistantly from either side of the body in angled relation thereto as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The groups of bristles 6' and 7 are attached to the body 1' in spaced relation as previously described with reference to the modificationof Figs. 1-3 of the drawings.

This form of the invention may be applied to the finger of the user as the first form described. However, in this instance the respective ends of the adhesive strip 9' apply over the finger of the user in helix fashion to dispose the adhesive free extremities 11' and 12' in free accessibility. Thus, by grasping the adhesive free extremities 11 or 12' and lifting, the device may be quickly and easily stripped from the finger. Of course, the embodiment of Fig. 5 of the drawings is utilized and is disposable in the same manner as the first described embodiment.

The dispensable, disposable package unit provided by the invention may be seen with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. It employs the device illustrated in Fig. 5 thereof. A packet 13 of tooth powder or paste is rolled and placed on the top surface of the body 1 and the complementary extremities 11 and 12' of the adhesive strip 9 are brought up and over the rolled packet 13 to be disposed thereover in generally parallel fashion and in adhesive relation thereto. The extremities of the adhesive strip 9 are free of adhesive. Accordingly, these adhesive free extremities can be easily grasped and the adhesive strip can be quickly peeled from the packet 13. The tooth brushing implement itself 'can be quickly and positively applied to the finger of the user and the dentifrice can be used therewith for a most effective tooth cleaning.

The package thus provided is compact and easily handled. It provides a simple package lending itself to vending through automatic vending machines. This is a feature of great advantage as enabling the tooth cleansing device to be dispensed in all public places at a minimum cost. Its disposable and inexpensive nature induces greater dental care on the part of the public. And it may be readily carried on the person for use away from home.

It is particularly noted that the bristles employed in the embodiment of the invention are considerably shorter in comparison to standard tooth brush bristles. This affords greater flexibility of application and greater cleansing efficiency to the tooth brushing implement provided.

Thus, novel dispensable and disposable tooth brushing apparatus is afforded by the invention to facilitate the cleansing of the teeth in public and private places away from home in a very eflicient manner and at a minimum cost. The invention is of a beneficial nature in promoting dental care.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed 4 comprise but a few of the several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A disposable tooth cleaning implement comprising, a flexible strip element having bristles projecting from one face thereof, adhesive flexible tape means laterally extending from the sides of said strip element for adhesive attachment by wrapping thereof to the finger of the user of said implement, said strip means having the outer extremities thereof formed to be free of adhesive to facilitate the stripping of said implement from the finger of the user upon completion of the tooth cleaning operation.

2. A finger applicable tooth cleaning device comprising, a flexible strip element providing a body therefor, a group of bristles fixed adjacent one end of said strip element to project from the bottom thereof, a second group of bristles fixed to said strip element in substantially spaced relation to said first group and adjacent the other end of said strip element, and adhesive tape means having ends laterally projecting from either side of said strip element for quick attachment of said strip element to the finger of the user by wrapping the tape means about the finger so as to dispose the outer joint of the finger over the space between said groups of bristles for ease and efficiency in manipulation of said element in the mouth.

3. A finger applicable tooth cleaning device of a disposable nature comprising, a body element of paper board having a rectangular configuration to the rear portion thereof and a substantially triangular configuration at the forward end thereof, a group of bristles projecting from the rectangular rear portion of said body element in depending fashion and in rectangular disposition, a second group of bristles depending from the forward end of said'body element in triangular disposition with the apex thereof to the forward extremity of said element, and means for adhesively fixing said element to the finger of the user, said groups of bristles being substantially spaced for disposing the outer joint of the finger thereover for ease and efliciency of manipulation of the device.

4. A disposable tooth cleaning implement applicable to the finger of the user comprising, a flexible body element having an opening therethrough transversely thereof, brush means fixed to project from the undersurface of said body element and disposed in longitudinally spaced fashion to accommodate substantial flexing of said body element without interengagement of said spaced brush means, and an adhesive strip extending through the opening in said body element to project to either side thereof for attachment of said element to the finger of the user.

5. A disposable tooth cleaning implement applicable to the finger of the user comprising a waterproofed paper strip element providing the body thereof, brush elements in substantially spaced relation fixed to project from one surface of said paper strip element, and flexible tape means extending transversely of said strip element and connected thereto, said flexible tape means having at least a portion thereof adhesive coated so that on application of the end of a finger over the opposite surface of said strip element, said flexible tape means may be wrapped to the end of the finger for adhesive attachment thereto whereby to positively fix said implement for eflicient manipulation thereof by the finger, the spacing of said brush elements providing bending of the finger joints without crushing the brush elements.

6. A disposable tooth cleaning implement applicable to the finger of the user comprising, a body element of an elongated nature, a triangular cluster of bristles projecting from said body element adjacent one end thereof, a rectangular cluster projecting from said body element in spaced relation to said first cluster, and an adhesive coated strip connected centrally thereof to said body element and extending laterally therefrom for attaching said body element to the finger of the user.

7. A disposable tooth cleaning implement comprising, a flexible body element of paper or the like having bristles fixed thereto to project from one face thereof, said body element having an aperture therethrough transversely thereof in angled fashion, and adhesive attach ment means for said body element connecting thereto through said aperture and afiording means for fixing said implement for manipulation by the finger of the user.

8. A finger applicable tooth cleaning implement comprising, a disposable body element of an elongated nature having brush means projecting from one face thereof, and adhesively coated means extending through said body element and projecting laterally thereof and having the respective extremities thereof free of adhesive for easy attachment of the implement to the finger of the user and quick release therefrom.

9. A dispensable tooth cleaning unit including, a body element of a flexible nature mounting bristles to one face thereof and a dentrifice to the other face thereof, and adhesively applicable means normally confining said dentrifice to said body element, efiecting a compact unit thereby, and having boundary portions thereof free of adhesive for ready stripping thereof to release the dentrifice whereupon the body element may be adhesively attached to a finger of a user by said adhesively applicable means affording an effective and eflicient tooth cleaner of a minimum size and a minimum cost.

10. A tooth cleaning implement including a strip element having spaced groups of bristles projecting from one face, flexible tape means having ends extending from the sides of said strip element, said tape means having adhesive on at least a portion thereof for oppositely folding over and adhesively attaching said strip element to a finger or the like without strain, irrespective of its size, said tape means being readily stripped from the finger on grasping an end.

11. A tooth cleaning implement comprising a flexible strip element having diagonally disposed tape connecting means for adhesively applying it to a finger, said strip element being elongated so that on application to a finger it will overlie and extend to either side of joint portions thereof, and brush means on one face of said strip element for disposition to project away from the finger, said brush means being arranged in sections having a substantial longitudinal spacing therebetween to enable said brush sections to be disposed clear of the finger joint portions on application of the strip element to the finger whereby to provide ease in flexing said strip element and manipulating said brush means without compacting and diminishing the effectiveness of the respective brush means in use.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,168,998 Brandenburg Jan. 18, 1916 1,894,413 Nenning et a1 Jan. 17, 1933 2,101,363 De Rome Dec. 7, 1937 2,235,436 Laub Mar. 18, 1941 2,763,885 Lyons Sept. 25, d 

